Dispenser



July 28, 1964 w. s. LOUCHHEIM 3,142,415

DISPENSER Filed July 14, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN TOR. WILL/AM .52 LOUC'HHE/M A 7'7'0EWE Y y 23, 1964 w. s. LOUCHHEIM 3,142,415

DISPENSER Filed July 14, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILL/AM i LOUCHHEIM y 1964 w. s. LOUCHHEIM 3,142,415

DISPENSER Filed y 14, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 2/5 222 224 z 95 i 2776. 17 If I 2/5 INVENTOR.

W/LL/AM 5. LOUCHHE/M Arron/vs) I l l l l 1 l l United States Patent 3,142,415 DISPENSER William S. Louchheim, Beverly Hills, Calif, assignor to Bobrick Manufacturing Corporation, Los Angeles, (Ialifi, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 14, 1961, Ser. No. 124,143 12 Claims. ((31. 221--96) The present invention relates to a dispenser and, more particularly, to a dispenser having a housing adapted to be recessed in a wall, said housing supporting a material dispenser container providing a shelf adaptable to accommodate, for example, the personal accessories of the dispenser user.

It is an object of the invention to provide a dispenser which is substantially completely recessed in a wall, the only portion of the dispenser projecting from the wall being its outlet. The dispenser finds particular application in public washrooms and the like, its housing being mounted flush with the supporting wall to provide an aesthetic and pleasing installation which is immediately available to the user and which does not form an obstruction or protrusion which might inadvertently be struck by persons in the washroom. Further, the recessed mounting of the present dispenser and the interengagement of the components thereof make it extremely difficult for unauthorized persons to remove or destroy the dispenser.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dispenser having a housing which is adapted to slidably accommodate a container having a cover which constitutes a shelf extending transversely of the housing. The shelf forms a convenient surface upon which the dispenser user may place his personal effects, as previously described, and is also removable to afford access to the interior of the container for maintenance purposes. The location of the container at the bottom of the housing also leaves an ulrliilfastructed space above the container for access to the s e It is a further object of the invention to provide a recessed dispenser including a housing embodying a soap container having a cover which not only forms a shelf, but which also includes an opening for replenishing the contents of the container, said cover being afiixed to the container and the housing so that said container cannot be removed from said housing without first removing said cover.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recessed dispenser having a container located in the bottom of the housing including means for dispensing the contents of the container projecting beyond the confines of the housing and also including a transparent sightglass for visually indicating when it is time to refill the container.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispenser having a mate-rial dispensing container which is adapted for association with various sizes of housings whereby, for example, a vertically elongated housing may be employed wherein the container is located at the bottom of the housing, and a light assembly is disposed in the top portion of the housing in spaced relationship with the container. With this construction, a mirror or reflecting panel is arranged transversely of the back of the housing with its upper margin adjacent the lower portion of the light assembly, and its lower margin adjacent the upper portion of the container, the mirror thereby serving to reflect light from the light assembly upon the user and the shelf. With this disposition of the mirror, there yet remains an unobstructed space above the shelf whereby articles can be placed on the shelf, as desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser having a container located in the bottom of a recessable housing and forming a reservoir for soap or the ice like, and also having a reflecting panel or mirror arranged across the front of the housing with its upper margin adjacent the upper wall of the housing and its lower margin spaced above the container to afford an unobstructed space to facilitate use of the upper surface of the container as a shelf.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a dispenser having a mirror mounted as just described, but wherein the mirror is hinged to the housing along one of its side margins so that the mirror also serves as a door which is swingable outwardly to permit use of the space behind the mirror.

As will be described more particularly hereinafter, the space behind the mirror door in one embodiment of the present invention receives towel dispensing equipment, the supply of towels being maintained in dispensing position by the rear face of the mirror door when the mirror door is in its closed position. Again, the space between the lower edge margin of the mirror and the upper surface of the cover of the container is unobstructed to thereby afford room for the dispenser user to insert his hand and remove a towel from the outlet or discharge opening of the towel dispensing equipment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser comprised of components which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which may be quickly and efficiently assembled to provide a recessed or flush wall installation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to the present invention, ready for flush or recessed installation in a wall;

FIG. 2 is a view taken from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lower portion of the container;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the cover of the container;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the housing frame which conceals the joint between the housing and the adjacent area of the Wall in which the dispenser is mounted;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view taken from the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the upper forward portion of the dispenser of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken from the line 10-19 of FIG. 9; a

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken from the line Ill-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken from the line 1212 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken from the line 1313 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view, partially in cross section, taken from line l5-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a view taken from the line l6-l6 of FIG. 14-; and

FIG. 17 is a view taken from the line 17-17 of FIG. 14.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is illustrated an embodiment 20 of the dispenser of the present invention which comprises a housing 22 adapted to be recessed in an opening in a wall (not shown), a container 24 located in the bottom of the housing 22 and forming a reservoir for soap or the like, and a valve for dispensing the contents of the container 24.

The housing 22 is generally rectangular in form, and is preferably made to sheet metal, such as stainless steel, as are the other components of the present embodiment, unless otherwise indicated. The housing 22 includes a pair of side walls 28 and 30, a back wall 31, a bottom Wall 32 (FIG. 2) and a top wall 34. The bottom and top walls 32 and 34 incorponate a plurality of openings 36 (illustrated only in the top wall 32) whose edge margins are outwardly formed into a countersunk configuration for accepting screws or the like (not shown) for securement of the housing 22 to the frame defining the opening, not shown, within which the housing 22 is to be recessed.

The front of the housing 22 is open, the forward edge margins of the walls 28, 30, 32, and 34 being joggled or off-set outwardly, as at 38, to accommodate inwardly disposed legs 40 of angle members which constitute a frame 42, illustrated in FIG. 5. The joggle 38 provides a substantially flush relationship between the legs 40 and the adjacent walls of the housing 22.

The frame 42, being co-extensive with the outer edge margins of the walls of the housing 22, conceals the joint between the housing 22 and the perimeter of the opening provided in the wall for receiving the dispenser 20. The angle members forming the frame 42 include laterally extending legs 44 which are bent or formed rearwardly at their outer margins to provide an aesthetically attractive mounting arrangement for the dispenser 20. The frame 42 is rigidly secured to the housing 22 by a plurality of spot welds 46 which connect the legs 40 and the contiguous walls of the housing 22.

The container 24, which is preferably made of sheet material such as stainless steel, is located within the housing 22 and rests upon the bottom wall 32 thereof. The container 24 includes a back wall 43, a front wall 50, side walls 52 and 54 (FIG. 3) and a bottom wall 56, thereby forming an upwardly open reservoir for soap or the like.

The front wall 50 is provided with a pair of openings 58 and 60 (FIG. 3) which are preferably arranged in vertical alignment with each other, and a doubler plate 62 is located behind or rearwardly of the openings 58 and 60. The plate 62 is secured in position by spot welding an upper, inwardly directed flange 64 of the plate 62 to an inwardly, or rearwardly, directed flange 66 at the upper edge margin of the wall 50. A flange 68 at the lower edge margin of the doubler plate 62 is rigidly secured to the bottom wall 56 of the container 24, and the plate 62 is provided with a pair of openings axially aligned with the openings 58 and 60 of the front wall 50 to receive a dispenser means or valve 70.

Any suitable form of dispenser valve 70 may be employed in conjunction with the present dispenser 20, but there is preferably employed a liquid soap dispensing valve similar to that described and illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 2,515,328. Reference is made to that patent for a more detailed description of the valve 70, but for purposes of clarity a brief description of the valve 70 is presented hereinbelow. In addition, a plurality of transversely spaced valves 70 may be employed where it is desired to enable more than one person at a time to obtain soap from the dispenser 20.

The valve 70 includes a valve cylinder 72 having a threaded inner extremity which is threaded within the opening 60 and the axially aligned opening in the doubler plate 62 to thereby support the valve in operative position. A nut 73 secures the cylinder 72 in place. The cylinder 72 receives a valve sleeve 74 which is provided with an annular shoulder for retention of the sleeve 74 at the outer end of the cylinder 72. The cylinder 72 accommodates a piston 76 which has an end face 78 for inwardly depressing the piston 76.

The inner end of the piston 76 is circumferentially grooved to accept a retainer ring 80 to limit outward travel of the piston, the piston 76 being biased outwardly by a compression spring 82 carried within the interior of the cylinder 72 and acting against the base of the cylinder 72 and against the retainer ring 80.

The inner end of the piston 76 includes a centrally located blind bore within which is disposed an axially extending plunger 84 which, when the piston 76 is urged inwardly, closes an opening 86 provided in the base of the cylinder 72 When the piston 76 is in its outer or normal position, it will be apparent that liquid soap from the interior of the container 24 will flow through the opening 86 into the bore of the cylinder 72. Thus, when the piston 76 is urged inwardly by the dispenser user, the plunger 84 seals the opening 86, and the continued inward movement of the piston 76 expels liquid soap from the interior of the cylinder 72, through a counterbore 88 in the shouldered member 74, and out a discharge spout 90.

When the dispenser user ceases to push against the end face 78, the piston 76 is biased outwardly by the spring 82, and liquid soap again flows through the opening 86 to replenish the interior of the cylinder 72. It is to be noted that the retainer ring prevents liquid soap from passing into the counterbore 83 when the piston 76 is in its outermost position. Fluid sealing between the piston 76 and the member 74 and the plunger 84 is provided by a plurality of usual sealing means, such as O-rings 92.

A transparent sighting element or glass 94 is threadably or otherwise securely mounted within the opening 58 and the associated opening in the doubler plate 62, and is sccured in position by a nut 96. The sighting glass 94 affords a means for determining when it is time to refill the contents of the container 24.

The container 24 includes an overlying cover 98 which constitutes a shelf extending transversely of the housing 22 for accommodating personal accessories of the dispenser user. The cover 98 is held in position at each side by rail means constituted by an angle 100 and a clip 101 which are spot welded to each other and to the adjacent one of the side walls 28 and 30 of the housing 22. Each clip 101 includes a hold-down portion extending above the associated angle 100, and reversely bent toward the horizontal leg of the angle 100. The free edge of this reversely bent portion is spaced above the horizontal leg of the angle 100 to define a track for slidably receiving an edge margin of the cover 98, the pairs of angles 100 and clips 101 thus providing spaced tracks for guiding and holding the edges of the cover 98. In addition, the arcuate, hold-down portions of the clips 101 provide an attractive joint line between the cover 98 and the housing sides 28 and 30.

The rear or inward edge of the cover 98 includes an arcuate portion 102 similar to those of the clips 101 to provide a similar joint line between the cover 98 and the housing back wall 31. In addition, the portion 102 is slidably receivable upon a transversely extending angle 103 which is spot welded to the housing back wall 31, thereby supporting the rearward edge of the cover 98.

The cover 98 is fixedly secured to the housing 22, and in position upon the container 24, by a pair of metal screws 104, FIGS. 1 and 2, which are disposed through suitable openings 105 in the cover 98, and threaded into suitable openings 106 in the angles 100. It is noted that the lower extremities of the screws 104 bear against the flange 66 of the container 24 to prevent relative vertical displacement between the cover 98 and the container 24.

The outer extremity of the cover 98 includes a transversely extending lip 99 which overlies a portion of the front wall 50 of the container 24, preventing removal of the container 24 from the housing 22 until the cover 98 is first disconnected from the angles 100 and removed from its position upon the container 24.

The cover 98 is provided with a substantially centrally located opening 114, FIG. 2, defined by edge margins extending downwardly and inwardly to form a recessed ledge, and a filler plug 116 is arranged to rest upon the ledge. Recessing of the ledge seats the plug 116 with its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of the cover 98 to form a substantially continuous shelf surface.

The plug 116 is constrained against inadvertent removal by integral, lateral projections 118 located to engage the undersurface of the edge margin of the opening 114. A keeper 128 suspended from the plug 116 by a chain 122 prevents the plug 116 from being withdrawn from the container 24 a distance greater than the length of the chain 122.

With this construction, it will be apparent that there has been provided a housing 22 which is adapted to be completely recessed within a wall and which includes a removable soap container 24 positioned therein which has a removable cover 98 constituting a shelf extending transversely of the housing 22 for use by the dispenser operator. The container 24 is spaced from the upper wall 34 of the housing 22 to provide for unobstructed access to the shelf, and the shelf 98 is easily and slidably removable through the open front of the housing 22. The container 24 is similarly slidably removable from the housing 22, but only after removal for maintenance purposes of the shelf 98 has been accomplished.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8, there is illustrated another embodiment of the present invention wherein an identical container 24, together with an identical dispensing valve 78, is located within a housing 124 adapted to be recessed in a wall. However, the housing 124 is vertically elongated to a greater extent than the housing 22, although the width of the housing 124 is preferably the same as the housing 22 whereby the container 24 is slidably received within the housing 124.

The upper portion of the housing 124 includes a light assembly 126, and a removable reflecting panel or mirror 128 is disposed between the light assembly 126 and the container 24. The mirror 128 extends transversely across the back of the housing 124 and is exposed to light from the light assembly 126 which also illuminates the dispenser user, and the shelf constituted by a cover 1'74 of the container 24.

The housing 124 is joggled at its forward edge margins to receive a frame 130 in the same manner previously described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. l-S. The housing 124 is also adapted to be fitted within an opening in a wall for recessed mounting there of, the various openings and fasteners for effecting such mounting being omitted in the drawings.

The light assembly 126 comprises a channel member .132 which extends transversely across the width of the housing 124, the rearwardly directed legs of the channel 132 terminating adjacent the back wall of the housing 124. The channel 132 is secured in position by nuts 134 threaded upon the forward extremities of studs 136 which protrude through suitable openings in the channel 132 and are rigidly secured at their rearward extremities, as by welding, to the back wall of the hous ing 124. Each of the studs 136 is covered by an insu lating sleeve 137 made of a suitable dielectric such as vinyl plastic.

1 The light assembly 126 also includes a translucent light shield 148 disposed forwardly of the channel 132 and extending transversely of the housing 124 between a pair of end plates 133. The rearward portion of the light shield 140 has an upwardly directed flange 142 re movably retained in the space defined between. the front wall of the channel 132 and a retainer bracket 144. The upper edge of the light shield 140 is removably held in a pocket between the forward flanges of transverse elements 146 and 148 (FIG. 8), the element 146 being spot welded to the element 148 which is, in turn, spot welded to the frame 130.

' A conventional electrical convenience outlet 149 is mounted beneath the light assembly 126, and extends through the light shield 140 for suitable connection to a source of power.

A usual form of fluorescent lamp, indicated by the phantom outline 150, is located behind the light shield 140, the lamp 150 being secured in position by the studs 136 and the nuts 134 to the channel 132.

A transversely and rearwardly extending bracket 152 is secured beneath the channel 132 by screws 154 and includes a forwardly projecting portion engageable with the underside of the light shield 140 to aid in supporting the shield 148 and also to conceal the joint between the shield 140 and the channel 132. The mirror 128 is held in position by a downwardly directed flange 156 of the bracket 152 and by a member 158 which is transversely disposed across the rear wall of the housing 124. The member 158 includes spaced legs 168 and 162, the leg 160 being arranged against the rear face of the flange 156 in spaced relationship with the back wall of the housing 124, the leg 162 extending upwardly into, the hollow interior of the channel 132 where it is secured to the back wall of the housing 124 by a plurality of metal screws 164.

The upper edge of the mirror 128 is removably fitted within the space between the leg 160 and the back wall of the housing 124, and the lower edge of the mirror 128 is similarly held in position by a pair of angle clips 166, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 7, which are secured to the angle 183. In this manner the mirror 128 is supported in position against the back wall, and is thereby located so as to be illuminated by the light assembly 126. It is noted that the container cover 174 in this embodiment is slightly shorter than the cover 98 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 to thereby afford a space for the mirror 128.

It will be apparent from the description hereinabove that a dispenser has been provided which included a housing 124 having the container 24 located in the bottom thereof and forming a reservoir for soap or the like, the housing also including a light assembly 126 spaced above the container 24 to provide an unobstructed space for the use of the shelf formed by the cover of the container 24. The mirror 128 enhances the utility of the dispenser and is located adjacent the rear wall of the housing 124 so as not to interfere with the use of the shelf formed by the container cover.

, Referring now to FIGS. 9-13 of the drawings, there is illustrated another embodiment 177 of the present in vention wherein a housing 178 (FIG. 10) is provided which is generally rectangular in form, made of sheet metal, and adapted to slidably receive the container 24 in the bottom thereof. The housing 178 is comprised of two superposed portions, the lower portion being constituted by a housing section 180 having a bottom wall 182, side walls 184, a back Wall 186, and an upper wall 188 which forms an intermediate transverse partition wall in the housing 178. The upper portion of the housing 178 is constituted by an upper housing section 190 which includes a top wall 192 and side walls 194.

' The bottom wall 182 and the top wall 192 are joggled or outwardly offset at their forward edge margins to slidably receive a frame 196, the frame 196 being welded thereto in substantially the same manner described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5. The container 24 is located in the bottom of the housing section 180, as before, leaving an unobstructed open space between the container cover 98 and the intermediate wall188.

A mirror or reflecting panel 198 is arranged across the front of the upper housing 190 with its upper and lower edge margins being retained in position by a pair of angles 200 and 202, respectively. The angle 200 is secured to the underside of the upper horizontal section of the frame 196, and the angle 202 is secured to the underside of the intermediate Wall 188, such securement being by spot welding or the like. In addition, the rear face of the mirror 198 is supported by a substantially rectangular frame 203 which includes rearwardly extending flanges which are spot welded to the top wall 192,

7 the side walls 194, and the intermediate wall 188, as best illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 13 of the drawings.

Yet another embodiment 204 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14 through 17. The dispenser 234 comprises a rectangular housing 206 having a top wall 208, a bottom wall 216, a back wall 212, and side walls 214.

The forward edge margins of the housing 212 are joggled or outwardly offset to receive the rearwardly extending flanges of the angles forming a frame member 216, which frame member is substantially identical to the frame member 196 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 through 13.

The container 24 is located in the bottom of the housing 2G6 and forms a reservoir for soap or the like, and includes a cover 98 constituting a shelf extending transversely of the housing 205, the container 24 including the previously described dispensing valve 7%) for dispensing the soap.

A reflecting panel or mirror 218 is supported on a door 220 having a peripheral flange 222 encompassing the edges of said mirror. The extremities of a transversely extending cross bar 223 are connected to the frame member 216, across the back of the mirror 218, for bracing of the frame member 216. The upper edge of the door 220 is juxtaposed to the top wall 208 and the lower edge is located in spaced relation with the container 24. The door 220 is mounted on a hinge 224 to permit access to the interior of the housing 296 behind the door, and a pair of door stop assemblies 225 are provided for resiliently engaging the door upon closure.

A towel dispenser 226 is rigidly secured in the space behind the door 228 and comprises a pair of side panel 223 which are each provided with flanges at their rear edges spot welded to the back wall 212 of the housing 206. As best seen in FIG. 15 of the drawings, the lower extremity of each side panel 228 is located immediately behind the lower edge margin of the door 220. The lower edges of the side panels 228 include inwardly directed flanges 230 and 232 supporting a pair of towel supports 236 and 238 extending transversely between the side sections 228 and defining a slot or throat 234. In addition, the support 238 is upwardly formed at its forward edge to define a flange 240 which serves to retain a plurality of folded paper towels 242.

The towels 242 are of the usual flat folded type, and are adapted to be stacked between the side panels 228, dropping downwardly as each towel is pulled through the throat 234 by the dispenser user. It is to be noted that the unobstructed space above the container 24 permits free access for the insertion of a hand to obtain towels from the towel dispenser 226. The door 220 may be swung outwardly or opened to permit replenishment of the towels 242. It will also be noted that the door 220 retains the towels in the dispenser 226 and serves as the front cover therefor.

Referring now to FIG. 17 of the drawings, there is illustrated a keyed lock 243 which is secured to the rear surface of the door 220 adjacent the lower edge margin of the mirror 218. The latch 248 includes a latch member 250 which is pivotal by a key (not shown) into and out of locking engagement with a keeper 252 secured to one of the side walls 214. A usual form of friction catch (not shown) is employed to normally maintain the door 220 in closed position.

Thus, the door 220 may be swung outwardly by first reaching under the lower edge margin of the mirror and pushing against the button 254 until the latch member 250 is pivoted out of engagement with the keeper 252. Since the latch 248 is concealed behind the mirror 218, it is unlikely that users of the dispenser 204 will know its location, thereby avoiding unauthorized removal of the towels from the dispenser 204.

From the description hereinabove, it will be apparent that there has been provided a dispenser which in its several embodiments includes a housing which is adapted to be recessed in a wall, and which includes a container located in the bottom of the housing forming a reservoir for soap or the like. The container includes a cover which constitutes a shelf extending transversely of the housing, use of this shelf being afforded by the provision of an unobstructed space above the shelf in each of the several embodiments.

In one embodiment of the invention, a mirrored door at the forward upper portion of the housing is swingable outwardly to expose a towel dispenser therebehind, said door serving as a cover for said dispenser. It will be apparent that the towel dispenser may be removed to provide instead a large storage space, and, if desired, this space can be filled with shelves or the like. In another embodiment, a light assembly is located in the upper portion of the housing, and a mirror is located against the back wall of the housing between the soap container and the light assembly to illuminate said mirror and shelf.

Another aspect of the invention worthy of note is the fact that the same basic container, with slight modification in one embodiment, can be used in all models of the dispenser. It should also be noted that, while all embodiments of the invention are intended for recessed use, they can be mounted on wall surfaces.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto since other modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A liquid soap dispenser comprising: a housing adapted to be received in a recess in a wall; a container located in the lower portion of said housing and forming a reservoir for liquid soap, said container having a removable cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received, said cover including an opening defined by edge margins extending downwardly and inwardly to form a recessed ledge; a filler plug resting upon said ledge with its upper surface substantially flush with the upper surface of said cover whereby said plug forms a substantial continuation of said shelf, said container including a front wall having a pair of openings; a valve mounted on said container adjacent one of said openings for dispensing liquid soap therefrom; and a transparent sighting element mounted on said container adjacent the other of said pair of openings for determining when said container should be refilled.

2. A dispenser comprising: a housing adapted to be received in a recess in a wall and including a pair of means forming a pair of tracks; a container located in the bottom of said housing and having a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, and side Walls forming an upwardly open reservoir for liquid soap or the like; a cover for said container constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received, the side edge portions of said cover being slidably receivable within said tracks, the front portion of said cover engaging said container to prevent outward movement of said container relative to said cover; fasteners disposed through said pair of means and said cover to secure said container and said cover within said housing; and means carried by said container for dispensing the contents thereof.

3. A dispenser comprising: a housing adapted to be received in a recess in a wall and having a back and side walls; a pair of elongated rail means secured, respectively, to said side walls; an elongated transverse support member secured to said back wall; a container located in the bottom of said housing and having a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, and side walls forming an upwardly open reservoir for liquid soap or the like; a cover for said container constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received, the side edges of said cover being slidably supported by said rail means, the front portion of said cover engaging said container to prevent outward movement of said container relative to said cover; fasteners disposed through said pair of rail means and said cover to secure said container and said cover within said housing, the rear edge portion of said cover being slidably supported upon said support member on said back wall; and means carried by said container for dispensing the contents thereof.

4. A dispenser comprising: a housing adapted to be received in a recess in a wall, said housing having a back wall; an elongated element secured to said back wall; a container located in the bottom of said housing and forming a reservoir for liquid soap or the like, said con tainer having a cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received, said cover being spaced from said back wall of said housing; a light assembly located in the top of said housing, secured to said back wall of said housing, and spaced above said container to define an unobstructed space therebetween, said light assembly including a transparent light shield and a rearwardly extending bracket having a forwardly projecting portion supporting said light shield and having a downwardly directed flange at its rearward edge margin, said flange being spaced from said back wall of said housing; a reflecting panel located adjacent said back wall of said housing and extending between said container and said light assembly for reflecting light upon said shelf, the upper and lower edge margins of said mirror being carried, respectively, in the space between said back wall and said flange of said bracket, and upon said flange of said cover between said cover and said back Wall; and means carried by said container for dispensing the contents thereof.

5. A dispenser comprising: a housing having an upper wall, side Walls, a back wall, and a bottom wall and adapted to be received in a recess in a wall; a container resting on said bottom wall and forming a reservoir for liquid soap or the like, said container having a cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received; a panel extending across the front of said housing and having its upper margin arranged adjacent said upper wall of said housing, and its lower margin spaced above said shelf to define a space therebetween for the acceptance of articles upon said shelf; towel dispensing means secured to said housing and located substantially completely behind said panel, said towel dispensing means including portions adjacent the lower margin of said panel to define an outlet for said towel dispensing means opening into said space, and leaving an unobstructed space between said outlet and said shelf for placement of the hand of the towel user; and means for dispensing the contents of said container.

6. A dispenser comprising: a housing having an upper wall, side walls, a back wall, and a bottom wall and adapted to be received in a recess in a Wall; a container resting on said bottom wall and forming a reservoir for liquid soap or the like, said container having a cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received; a door extending across the front of said housing and having its upper margin arranged adjacent said upper wall of said housing, and its lower margin spaced above said shelf to define a space therebetween; towel dispensing means secured to said housing and located substantially completely behind said door, said towel dispensing means including portions defining a transverse outlet slot located adjacent the lower margin of said door and opening into said space, leaving an unobstructed space between said outlet slot and said shelf for reception of the hand of the towel user, said door being hinged at one side margin to said housing to provide access to said towel dispensing means for towel replenishment; locking means for closing said door against said 10 housing, said locking means including a pivotable latch secured to the swinging, other side margin of said door just above the lower edge margin of said door for operation from said space, said locking means including a keeper secured to said housing and engageable by said latch; and means for dispensing the contents of said container.

7. A dispenser comprising: a housing adapted to be received in a recess in a wall; a container located in the lower portion of said housing and forming a reservoir for liquid soap or the like, said container having a cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received; means for dispensing the contents of said container; and means for securing said cover to said housing, said cover having retaining means thereupon for retaining said container in said housing.

8. A dispenser comprising: a housing adapted to be received in a recess in a wall, said housing having side walls and a bottom wall; an elongated, removable container for liquid soap or the like and having side walls slidably nestable within the side walls of said housing for slidable removal of said container forwardly out of said housing, and a cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received, said housing being open at its front adjacent said container to facilitate removal of said container; means for dispensing the contents of said container; and a cover operatively connected to said housing and constituting a shelf for supporting articles within said housing, said cover having retention means thereupon for retaining said container in operative relationship with said housing.

9. A liquid soap dispenser comprising: a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls and adapted to be received in a recess in a wall; an elongated, removable liquid soap container within said housing extending transversely of said side walls and above said bottom wall, and spaced below said top wall; a cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received and preventing access to the interior of said container, the front wall of said housing being open immediately above said shelf for unobstructed access to said shelf for placement and removal of personal accessories and the like, said cover being operatively connected to said housing and having retaining means thereupon for retaining said container in said housing; and means carried by said container for dispensing liquid soap therefrom.

10. A liquid soap dispenser comprising: a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls, and adapted to be received in a recess in a wall; an elongated liquid soap container extending across and within said housing between said side walls and above said bottom wall, and spaced below said top wall; a cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received and covering the top of said container, said cover being operatively connected to said housing to permit relative movement between said cover and said container to expose the interior of said container from the top when said container is still located in said housing, the front wall of said housing being completely open between said shelf and said top wall to provide unobstructed access from the front of said housing for accommodation of personal effects and toilet articles upon said shelf within the space between said shelf and said top wall; and means carried by said container for dispensing soap therefrom.

11. A dispenser comprising: a housing having an upper wall and adapted to be received in a recess in a wall; a container located in the bottom of said housing and forming a reservoir for liquid soap or the like; a cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received and covering said container, said cover being operatively connected to said housing to permit relative movement between said cover and said container to expose the top of said container for access to the interior thereof; a door extending across the front of said housing and having its upper margin arranged adjacent said upper wall of said housing and its lower margin spaced above said shelf to define an unobstructed space therebetween for the acceptance of articles upon said shelf; and means for dispensing the contents of said container.

12. A dispenser comprising: a housing having an upper wall, a back wall and a bottom wall, adapted to be received in a recess in a wall; a container juxtaposed to the bottom Wall of said housing and forming a reservoir for liquid soap or the like; a cover constituting a shelf for supporting articles extending horizontally of said housing when so received and covering said container, said cover being operatively connected to said housing to permit relative movement between said cover and said container to expose the top of said container for access to the interior thereof; a door extending across the front of said housing and having its upper margin arranged adjacent said upper wall of said housing, and its lower margin located intermediate said upper and bottom walls, said back wall being located above said shelf to define an unobstructed space therebetween opening forwardly for the reception of articles upon said shelf; and means for dispensing the contents of said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 484,889 Collins Oct. 25, 1892 508,327 Lippincott Nov. 7, 1893 512,989 OHara Jan. 16, 1894 742,012 Decker Oct. 20, 1903 1,451,683 Couser Apr. 17, 1923 2,070,641 Bortels Feb. 16, 1937 2,155,783 Butcher Apr. 25, 1939 3,008,609 Sessions Nov. 14, 1961 

1. A LIQUID SOAP DISPENSER COMPRISING: A HOUSING ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN A RECESS IN A WALL; A CONTAINER LOCATED IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID HOUSING AND FORMING A RESERVOIR FOR LIQUID SOAP, SAID CONTAINER HAVING A REMOVABLE COVER CONSTITUTING A SHELF FOR SUPPORTING ARTICLES EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY OF SAID HOUSING WHEN SO RECEIVED, SAID COVER INCLUDING AN OPENING DEFINED BY EDGE MARGINS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY TO FORM A RECESSED LEDGE; A FILLER PLUG RESTING UPON SAID LEDGE WITH ITS UPPER SURFACE SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID COVER WHEREBY SAID PLUG FORMS A SUBSTANTIAL CONTINUATION OF SAID SHELF, SAID CONTAINER INCLUDING A FRONT WALL HAVING A PAIR OF OPENINGS; A VALVE MOUNTED ON SAID CONTAINER ADJACENT ONE OF SAID OPENINGS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID SOAP THEREFROM; AND A TRANSPARENT SIGHTING ELEMENT MOUNTED ON SAI CONTAINER ADJACENT THE OTHER OF SAID PAIR OF OPENINGS FOR DETERMINING WHEN SAID CONTAINER SHOULD BE REFILLED. 